Police searching for 'person of interest' in fatal shooting of 2-year-old child in Newark

NEWARK — Authorities tonight are searching for a man who was in a Newark apartment this morning when a 2-year-old boy was shot and killed with what may have been an illegal handgun.

Mikhy Robinson was shot in the head shortly before 9:50 a.m. in his home on St. James Place, just south of Interstate 78, police said. A man and woman apparently brought the child to the Beth Israel Hospital, but the man left. The child was pronounced dead at 10:14 a.m., authorities said.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio said police are still trying to determine if the boy died of an accidental gunshot wound because he was playing with the gun or whether he was shot by the man, who was not identified but described as a "person of interest." Interviews with the boy’s mother were continuing last night.

Investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the lead investigative agency, were looking for a weapon and more witnesses.

Investigators believe the weapon was an illegal handgun.

The man — who DeMaio said is not Mikhy’s father — is no stranger to Newark police, he said.

"Based on his criminal history, and his past, we believe it’s an illegal weapon," DeMaio said. "He’s somebody that’s known to us; he’s somebody that’s been in our custody in the past; he’s somebody who has been a person of interest to us with other acts of violence in the city."

Mikhy’s mother, who was not identified, knew the weapon was in the home and told police she had seen it before, DeMaio said.

NEIGHBORS STUNNED BY TRAGEDY

While questions remained over the circumstances surrounding Mikhy’s death, the playful, friendly youngster who only lived for a short time clearly left an impression on his quiet residential South Ward neighborhood.

Brenton Smith, the landlord of the four-family brick home where Mikhy was shot, said his 9-year-old daughter would play with the irrepressible Mikhy, who had a habit of stripping off his clothing — regardless of the temperature — and would smack energetic high-fives on command.

About two months ago, Mikhy’s mother responded to a "For Rent" sign in the window and told Smith the place her mother had been living was "burnt out" by a fire and that they would be living together.

Mikhy was a surprise addition to the one-bedroom apartment, but immediately made an impression on Smith with his energy and volubility. Smith said he never saw a boyfriend in the apartment.

A next-door neighbor, Yakima Mitchell, said she wondered who got a new car when she left for work at 7 this morning and saw a white Pontiac Grand Prix with temporary tags parked in front of the house where the shooting occurred.

Tonight, a group of community activists — one with a bullhorn — exhorted neighbors to take to the streets in anger and frustration at the death of the toddler. Smith walked toward the group, telling another neighbor, "It’s just so sad, so sad."

Earlier, neighbors arranged a white teddy bear, candle and flowers on the front stoop of the home. Family members stopped by the home briefly, meeting for tearful embraces in the street.

Neighbors gathered on porches and sidewalk corners, trying to come to grips with what had happened.

One neighbor said she awakened to screams from the apartment.

"I am saddened by this tragic and senseless loss of life and extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the infant," DeMaio said.

Kim Dixon, who lives two doors from the home, said she was in her bedroom when she heard a commotion at the house.

"I heard two people arguing," Dixon said. "I didn’t know what it was about."

A few minutes later, she said, police descended on the neighborhood.

Sheila Brooks, who lives next door to the home, said Mikhy’s family was pleasant.

"They’re good neighbors. They’d just moved in," Brooks said. "What a tragedy."